It seems that many memoir/ fiction books about growing up in the seventies have come out in the past ten years. I know I have read a few – but Bad Haircut is the only one I remember enjoying and being moved by so much. Especially affecting is the story “Snowman”.

You may know Perrotta as the author of Election – on which a the surprisingly excellent movie was based on. You will know about him again soon when Kate Winslet and Jennifer Connelly star in the movie based on his latest novel Little Children (also a very good read). This one is my favorite though. I hope more people discover it.

As the coolest man alive, nearly any Leonard Cohen album could be recommended, but I have been listening to a lot of New Skin this week. The offbeat energy of “Is This What You Wanted“, the sparse simplicity of “I Tried to Leave You“, the childlike creepiness of “Who By Fire“, and possibly one of his best songs ever, “Chelsea Hotel #2” which showcases his amazing talent as a poet and writer and it may or may not be about Janis Joplin. Rolling Stone claimed this as “not one of his best” in their review in 1975.

I disagree, not the first or last time with the publication.

Beards, beards, beards!! Everyone is crazy for beards. Even weirdly dated jewelry companies. So maybe New York Magazine had to be all bitchy about it, but I don't care what they say I am glad facial hair is back. Our boys are becoming men. I honor one of my favorite beards this week- the one of Mr. Morrison. His is a full luxurious mane of whiskers that reminds me of someone I love very much (see photos).

A recipe for fun: book a big table, invite all your friends, enjoy really good bratwurst, potato pancakes, schnitzel, and potato salad, have many pitchers of Heiffeweiss, stumble home, and love your life. Lederhosen has become a staple for my friends and I (thank you Astrid for introducing us). A very friendly staff, a relaxed atmosphere, great food, and always a guaranteed wonderful time

Half beer half lemonade. A nice refreshing break from pitchers of Heiffeweiss. Like a dessert beer. Many brands make bottled versions but I haven't had them yet – see here, here, and here. Radlers also have a half way interesting origin.

A dirty version of this game got me in deep, deep trouble in sixth grade (my bad girl year). It was a little unfair as the boys in my class had written most of the inflammatory material. I mean, I didn't even know what “pops a nut” meant.

Now the game has evolved to be online – which seems kind of sad to me. It is meant to be played with friends in a circle with giggles and gossip. So I recommend M.A.S.H., but only in the good old fashion way. And play dirty if you want, no one's mom is going to be called in this time.

A fun community website to search through for hours. Keith Herzik, Serigraphie Populaire, Tyler Stout, Mat Brinkman, and Leia Bell are some of my favorite designers and I am sure there are more to discover each day. I am in there too (under Poster Children) – not all my best work I must say, but I did manage a poster of the week once. If anyone is looking for someone to do posters for their show – give me a ring – I'd love to start again.

Available for free (but not free for much longer) this is a hilarious radio show where Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant talk with their unusual village idiot friend Karl Pilkington and tease and prod him. Karl's diaries are absolutely phenomenal. It is a bit hard to describe why the show is funny, like a lot of humorous things, you really just have to experience it for yourself.

But for a taste here is a Karl quote: “You'll never see an old person eating a Twix, but they always buy ornaments”. The new shows should be up Feb. 28th on podcast (this is the most highly listened to show on podcast ever – as they will boast all the time), even with a small fee I can't recommend taking a listen enough. It's brilliant.